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Alien species

The original distribution area of the amphipod Incisocalliope aestuarius stretches along the river mouths of the American east coast. The species reached Europe by ship transportation (on the ship’s hull or in the ballast water). It was first discovered in the Belgian Sea Scheldt in oktober 1996, but was shown present in the Western Scheldt since 1991. The fact that this amphipod only occurs in brackish water and not in open sea, limits its expansion to river mouths. It is remarkable that in Belgian regions this species occurs in association with hydroid polyps, a habitat seldom or never occupied by indigenous amphipods.

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from 0 people

Alien species

The original distribution area of the amphipod Incisocalliope aestuarius stretches along the river mouths of the American east coast. The species reached Europe by ship transportation (on the ship’s hull or in the ballast water). It was first discovered in the Belgian Sea Scheldt in oktober 1996, but was shown present in the Western Scheldt since 1991. The fact that this amphipod only occurs in brackish water and not in open sea, limits its expansion to river mouths. It is remarkable that in Belgian regions this species occurs in association with hydroid polyps, a habitat seldom or never occupied by indigenous amphipods.